Miss Universe 2023: Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua

Miss Universe 2023

Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios has been announced as the winner of the Miss Universe 2023 title in a grand event that was held at the Jose Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador on November 19 (according to IST). She was crowned by Miss Universe 2022 – USA’s R’Bonney Gabriel – on stage as the crowd applauded the winner.

In the 72nd Miss Universe pageant this year, contestants from 84 countries and territories competed against each other. The pageant was hosted by American television personality Jeannie Mai and Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo, apart from American television presenter Maria Menounos.

The 2023 Miss Universe pageant took place on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time /5 p.m. Pacific Time and Nov 19, 6:30 AM Indian Standard Time.

Nicaragua wins the title of Miss Universe 2023, with Miss Thailand coming in first place, in a historic crowning moment filled with glamour and tears of joy. Miss Nicaragua is crowned as Miss Universe 2023. After an intense contend between 90-country candidates, Miss Nicaragua emerged as the 72nd Miss Universe. Advancing to the final round alongside her were Miss Thailand and Miss Australia in the beauty pageant. Check out the crowning moment. With pride and happiness in her eyes, Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel passed over the precious crown to her successor.

Miss Universe 2023 crowning moment

The crowd erupts in cheers as Nicaragua wins the title of Miss Universe 2023, with Miss Thailand coming in first place. Amidst the glittering glamour and tears of joy, watch the historic crowning moment unfold.

Second runner-up Moraya Wilson of Miss Australia and first runner-up Anntonia Porsild of Miss Thailand respectively took home the coveted titles in the Miss Universe contest.

Miss Universe 2023 winning question

The final question of Miss Universe 2023 was “If you could live one year in another woman’s shoes who would you choose and why?”. While Miss Australia honored her mother by saying that she would like to step into her mother’s shoe, Miss Thailand named Malala Yousafzai as her answer. She said her struggle and achievements highly inspire her. However, Miss Nicaragua’s answer was the most different and unexpected. She mentioned Mary Wollstonecraft’s name who is known as the women’s rights activist and mother of feminism.

Social media is currently exploding with comments congratulating the deserving win. Fans wrote “A totally deserve winning glad you win Nicaragua not Thailand you perform well”, “As a Filipino fan, Nicaragua KILLED the competition this year! So well deserved! Looking forward to see her reign as the new MISS UNIVERSE!”, “The best one from the beginning was Nicaragua. Well done. She deserved it”, “Nicaragua deserved to win. Her life has been extremely difficult and with her life story of perseverance, I’m sure she can reach millions of women across the globe Echa pa lante Nicaragua”

Sheynnis Palacios made history by winning the title of Miss Universe 2023, becoming the first woman from Nicaragua to achieve this prestigious honour. The 23-year-old beauty queen, crowned in El Salvador on November 19, stunned in a silver gown with a striking blue cape — a nod to her country’s national flag.

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Palacios’ victory extends beyond beauty, representing a breakthrough and celebration of diversity. Her ability to eloquently address critical issues, from climate change to gender equality, during the question-and-answer segment showcased her depth of understanding and commitment to social change, which impressed the judges.

As Miss Universe 2023, Palacios plans to use her platform to advocate for causes close to her heart, establishing herself as a role model for young women worldwide.

In the global competition, Moraya Wilson from Australia secured the second runner-up position, while Anntonia Porsild from Thailand became the first runner-up.

Representing India, Shweta Sharda of Chandigarh reached the top 20 finalists. Additionally, this year marked Pakistan’s debut at Miss Universe. The event also featured a captivating performance by 12-time Grammy winner John Legend, while Maria Menounos, alongside former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai, expertly handled the hosting duties.

Who is Sheynnis Palacios?

Born in 2000, Sheynnis Palacios holds a degree in mass communication. She is also a sports enthusiast, having played varsity volleyball for her university. Making her beauty pageant debut in 2016, she won the titles of Miss Teen Nicaragua 2016 and Miss World Nicaragua 2020. Palacios represented Nicaragua at the Miss World 2021 competition, reaching the top 40 finalists. With a significant following on Instagram and TikTok, she continues to inspire and connect with over 5 lakh followers on Instagram.

Miss Universe 2023 scripts history

Miss Universe 2023 is also a year of many firsts. The competition created groundbreaking history by embracing inclusivity and representation through its diverse contestants. While Miss Guatemala’s Michelle Cohn became the first mother to participate in the pageant, Miss Colombia Camila Avella is the first married contestant in the global competition.

On the other hand, Rikki Valerie Kollé is the first transgender person from Miss Netherlands to compete. Known for its conventional beauty standards, Miss Universe also broke away from the norm as Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett made history by becoming the first body-inclusive contestant.

Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was crowned the 2023 Miss Universe at the culmination of the annual beauty pageant, which took place on Saturday night in El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador. Anntonia Porsild of Thailand placed as first runner-up.

The winners of 84 countries’ national pageants had competed at this year’s Miss Universe, judged by a panel including model Halima Aden, “Queer Eye” star Carson Kressley, TikTok influencer Avani Gregg and two former Miss Universe winners, Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago (Miss Universe 1977) and Iris Mittenaere of France (Miss Universe 2016).

Twenty semi-finalists were announced at the beginning of Saturday night’s proceedings following the results of the preliminary competition (and a global fan vote). After the swimsuit round, the field was narrowed to 10 — seeing the elimination of the first “curvy” contestant to make the pageant’s semi finals, Miss Nepal, as well as the first contestant to choose a burkini as their swimsuit, Miss Pakistan. The evening gown round cut the number of contestants in half again.

Two rounds of hot topic Q&As then left just three women in contention: Palacios, Porsild and second runner-up Moraya Wilson of Australia.

Asked in the final round who she would choose to spend a day in the life of, Palacios chose the 18th-century British philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, who she said broke boundaries and “gave an opportunity to many women.”

“There are no limitations for women today,” she added, via a translator.